Seattle Public Schools (SPS) recently announced the reassignment of Daniel Bagley Elementary Principal Anitra Pinchback-Jones to head the new Rainier Elementary – which means the school, located at 7821 Stone Ave N, is looking for its fourth principal in five years.
“These appointments leave three current openings at Daniel Bagley, John Stanford International and Rainier Beach High School that will be filled through an interview process,” according to a March 23, 2011 press release from Superintendent Susan Enfield.
In recent years, Bagley’s fate has had more dips and twists than an afternoon at Wild Waves. Threatened with closure by SPS in 2000 and again in 2005 due to low enrollment and test scores, Bagley was clutched from the budgetary red pencil of death after the community pulled a Hail Mary pass to raise enrollment by starting a Montessori program. Now serving 387 students, in 2010 the school was named a School of Distinction for outstanding academic improvements in math and reading, and rated 5 out of 5 in the latest SPS School Reports.
Seen here in a portrait by fifth graders, we can only guess what Daniel Bagley thinks of the turnover.
The school is distinct too, for offering a Special Needs inclusion program and blended classes of multiple ages. Parents credit Bagley’s spirit of openness and the commitment of the staff, students and families with forging a tightly knit, powerful community. According to a 2009-10 SPS survey, 91% of families are satisfied with the quality of the school and level of family engagement. As of this year PTA participation is 100% and parents regularly volunteer in the classroom, as proctors and field trip chaperones.
In 2009 Bagley families came together to fund, dig and build a new school garden that donates produce to local food banks, and this year has them doing the same for a new play field.
Regarding her reasons for the change, Ms. Pinchback-Jones wrote:
Leaving Daniel Bagley is one of the toughest decisions professionally that I have ever made.
As principal, I have enjoyed teaming with great professionals focused on student success. I absolutely LOVE it here. My number one goal upon taking over as leader of Daniel Bagley was to maximize the strengths of this wonderful school and ensure that students remain well academically, emotionally, and socially.
The reasons for me deciding to leave are for personal reasons. However, my final decision is rooted in what I feel is best long term for Daniel Bagley.
I have accepted the opportunity to serve as principal of Rainier View Elementary School when it opens this fall.
Many have asked, what do you want your new school to be like? After completing my sixth year of administrative work in SPS, I have an answer….like many things at Daniel Bagley Elementary School.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve this community.
SPS launched an new teacher evaluation system this year focused on continued professional growth. Participation is voluntary, but all Bagley teachers opted in.
“This is a true testament to the level of quality professionals we have leading our classrooms,” Pinchback-Jones wrote.
2010-11 also saw the introduction of the new MAP standardized computer-taken tests and the Steps to Respect and Second Steps programs, dealing with improving students’ relationship skills, including strategies for making and keeping friends, joining activities, and recognizing and countering bullying.
What kind of atmosphere does the new principal face? “Bagley has a multitude of strengths as a school/community,” wrote Pinchback-Jones.
Students love to learn at Bagley! Great schools come from great communities … the quality of the instructional staff coupled with parental/community partnerships makes Daniel Bagley a special place to learn. I also believe Daniel Bagley’s strengths are centered on the operating principle that all students are cared for and believed in.
Prior to coming to Bagley, Pinchback-Jones served for five years as assistant principal at West Seattle High School, five years as a third/fourth-grade classroom teacher at African American Academy and one year as a Grade 1/2 teacher at Madrona Elementary School.
Pinchback-Jones replaced Kimberly Kinzer, who served as Principal from 2007/08-09/10, who succeeded Brigit McShane’s six-year tenure beginning in 2000.
For the hiring process, Daniel Bagley chooses an interview team consisting of three teachers, two parents, and one front office staff personnel. After selecting and interviewing candidates of interest, applicants from the SPS administrative hiring pool, the interview team will forward their principal recommendation to Superintendent Enfield, who will make the final decision.
